Members of the Ramanathapuram Fish Workers Trade Union (RFTU), affiliated to the National Fish Workers Forum (NFF) staged a demonstration here on Monday demanding the withdrawal of the draft Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) notification, released by the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF). After forcing the district administration and Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board to cancel the public hearing on the contentious issue here on April 19, fishermen and women, who were members of RFTU, protested against the draft CRZ notification, alleging that many clauses in the notification were against the interest of the fishing community. RFTU president A. Palsamy, who led the protest, alleged that the demarcation of the coastal zones as ecologically sensitive areas- CRZ I, urban areas -CRZ II, rural areas – CRZ III and water areas – CRZ IV has been done to benefit corporate companies, which were engaged in coastal tourism. Once the notification becomes an act, the fisher folk would not be able to dwell within 500 meters from the shore with their boats nets, he said. He said the draft notification seeks to overhaul the coastal zone regulation rules and the proposed changes would promote commercialisation in the most protected zones, proving disastrous for the environment and coastal communities, especially the fisher folk. The environmentally sensitive coastal zone has been thrown open for tourism projects and defence projects, he said. The notification also seeks to throw open areas being used by traditional fishermen for commercial projects, which would hit their livelihoods. The fishing community can eke out a living in peace only if the draft notification was withdrawn in toto, he said.